Of course! This Cheesy Hamburger Potato Casserole is the definition of comfort food in a single dish. It’s hearty, family-friendly, and incredibly easy to make. Think of it as a deconstructed cheeseburger meets scalloped potatoes.
Cheesy Hamburger Potato Casserole
This recipe is a one-pan meal that layers flavorful ground beef, tender potatoes, and a rich, cheesy sauce, all baked to golden perfection.
Yields: 6-8 servings
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 1 hour
Ingredients
For the Meat Layer:
· 1 lb ground beef
· 1 medium onion, chopped
· 2 cloves garlic, minced
· 1 tsp paprika
· 1 tsp dried oregano or Italian seasoning
· Salt and black pepper to taste
· 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
For the Cheese Sauce & Potatoes:
· 1 (10.5 oz) can condensed cheddar cheese soup (like Campbell’s)
· ½ cup milk or beef broth
· ½ cup sour cream
· 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce (optional)
· 2 lbs Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced (about ⅛-inch thick)
· 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
For the Topping:
· ½ cup panko breadcrumbs or crushed Ritz crackers
· 1 tbsp melted butter
· Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep:
· Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Cook the Meat Sauce:
· In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef and onion until the beef is browned and the onion is soft. Drain off any excess grease.
· Add the minced garlic, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook for one more minute until fragrant.
· Stir in the tomato sauce. Bring to a simmer, then remove from heat.
- Prepare the Cheese Sauce:
· In a medium bowl, whisk together the condensed cheddar cheese soup, milk, sour cream, and Worcestershire sauce until smooth.
- Assemble the Casserole:
· Layer 1 (Potatoes): Arrange half of the thinly sliced potatoes in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
· Layer 2 (Meat): Spread the entire meat and tomato sauce mixture evenly over the potato layer.
· Layer 3 (More Potatoes): Top with the remaining sliced potatoes.
· Layer 4 (Cheese Sauce): Pour the prepared cheese sauce evenly over the top, making sure to cover the potatoes.
· Layer 5 (Cheese): Sprinkle 1 ½ cups of the shredded cheddar cheese over the sauce.
- Add the Topping and Bake:
· In a small bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs with the melted butter. Sprinkle this over the cheese.
· Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 45 minutes.
- Brown the Top:
· Remove the foil from the dish. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of cheddar cheese on top.
· Return the casserole to the oven, uncovered, and bake for another 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender (easily pierced with a knife), the cheese is bubbly, and the top is golden brown.
- Serve:
· Remove from the oven and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before serving. This allows the sauce to thicken and makes it easier to slice.
· Garnish with fresh chopped parsley.
Tips for Success
· Slice Potatoes Evenly: Use a mandoline slicer (carefully!) or a sharp knife to ensure all potato slices are the same thickness. This is key for even cooking.
· Shortcut: For a quicker version, you can use a 20-ounce bag of frozen shredded hash browns (thawed) instead of fresh potatoes.
· Test for Doneness: The most important step is to ensure the potatoes are fully tender. If they’re still firm after the baking time, cover and bake for another 10-15 minutes.
· Customize It:
· Add Veggies: Mix in a cup of frozen peas, corn, or diced carrots with the meat layer.
· Make it Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the meat or use a can of Rotel diced tomatoes & green chilies instead of plain tomato sauce.
· Different Cheese: Feel free to swap the cheddar for Colby Jack, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican cheese blend.
· Creamier Sauce (From Scratch): If you don’t have cheddar soup, make a simple white sauce: Melt 3 tbsp butter, whisk in 3 tbsp flour, cook 1 minute. Whisk in 2 cups milk and cook until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in 2 cups shredded cheddar until melted. Use this in place of the soup/milk mixture.
This casserole is the ultimate crowd-pleaser and makes for fantastic leftovers. Enjoy